Locomotive-cab curtain



Y June l0, 1930. H. M. GRAY LocoMoTIvE GAB CURTAIN Filed May 13, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 1o, 1930. l H; M GAv 1,762,576

LOCOMOTIVE CA-B CURTAIN Filed May l5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet /2 Patented .lune 10, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VI-ITJBER'L' M. GRAY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGN OR OF ONE-HALF T0 CHARLES HYLAND,

0F TOLEDO, OHIO LOCOMOTIVE-CAB CURTAN Application led May 13,

This invention relates to a curtain for use in connection with locomotive cabs for the purpose of closing the cab and protecting the occupants from the weather.

An object of the invention is to provide a locomotive cab curtain which can be readily and conveniently pushed or moved out of the way, but which is normally securely held in place to provide an adequate enclosure for the cab.

Another object of the invention is to provide a locomotive cab curtain which is prevented from flapping due to the wind, but is sufficiently flexible to provide for egress and ingress of persons to the cab.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds, and the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being .understood that changes in the preoise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit .of the invention.

The invention isshown by way of illustration inthe accompanying drawings, in which: n

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3 showing a side elevation of a portion of the cab with the'curtain in place;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 8-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a locomotive cab 1 of the usual construction having a roof 2, and a substantially U-shaped hood 3 depending from the rear end portion of the roof. Disposed within the lower portion of the hood 3 is a substantially U-shaped rod 4, providing a lsupport for the cab curtain 5. In this instance the cab curtain 5 is of fabric such as heavy canvas, and consists of two parts, 5a and 5b, which are connected by'hook fasteners 6 at the rear of the cab. The curtain 5 is suspended from the support 4 by a 1929. Serial No. 362,599.

series of rings 8, which permit of sliding the curtain when desired to provide the proper opening, or to move the curtain part-s to one side out of the way.

In order to prevent flapping of the curtains a plurality of elongate pockets 9 are kprovided longitudinally of the curtain to receive stiifening rods 10, which are coiled at 11 about the supporting rod 4 with the upper ends 12 projecting above the rod 4 and engageable with the inside of the hood 3. It will be apparent that the spring ends of the rods 9 serve to hold the curtain 5 in the proper position and eliminate lapping due to high winds, although the spring ends allow the curtain to yield inwardly, but are adapted to return to normal position after the pressure has been relieved.

The opposite sides of the curtain 5 are held securely in place against the cab structure or suitable support to provide a substantially weatherproof connection with the inside of the cab structure, but the arrangement is such that these sides may bc quickly and conveniently released, in the event of impending accident, or any other exigency necessitating or requiring that the occupants of the cab leave the cab with the utmost haste. It is apparent that with thc sides of the curtain permanently connected to the cab structure, Ait would involve considerable delay to unfasten the curtain parts to enable the engineer and fireman to leave the cab quickly, but by providing a simple, releasable connection between the curtain side and cab, which may be readily manipulated to free the curtain from its anchor, a generous opening is provided through which departure may be readily made, such openn ing being also usable for the main entrance and exit for the cab in addition to being a safety feature.

As shown, attached to an inturned wall 13 of the cab is a substantially L-shaped upright member 14, which is provided with lips 15 facing inwardly in a direction parallel to the plane of the wall 13. The upright 14, lips 15, and wall 13 cooperate to provide a seat to receive one of the binding strips 16 between which is attached a side edge portion ofthe curtain 5, as shown F ig. fl. As shown in the drawings, a pair ot recesses 17 are formed in the inner' strip' 16 to receive leaf springs 18. rllhese springs normally tend to urge the stiffening strips 16 away from the seat, and are sufficient to torce the strips clear from thev lips 15.

For holding the binding members 16 in seating relation, an eccentric 19 is mounted at 2O to a bracket 21, and isprovided with a handle 22. When the eccentric 19 is inthe position shown in Fig. 2, it bears against theouter binding strip 1G, and securelyv retion by the springs 18 when the cam is released. is shown, similar connections are provided on opposite Vsides oif the curtain so that both sides of the `curtain may be detached in the above described manner.`

lt is to be understood that the above de-y scription is given 'by Way of illustration and not ot' limitation, and c numerous vchanges in details of construction. arrangement and operation maybe eiiectedvvithout `depaiting from the spirit oit the invention,

especially as claims.: ,A

TV hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. The combination with a loconiotive'cab or the like, of a curtain, means for sliddeiined in the appended ingly supporting y'the top of the curtain,A

st ips attached to oppositesides ot' the cur tain, seats in the locomotive cab structure to receive said strips, spring means normally urging' saidstrips out of said seats,

vand retaining members holdirg` said strips in seated relation.

2. The combination With a locomotive cab or the like, of a curtain, ya support for the top of the curtain, means :tor slidably attaching said curtain to said support. and means for releasably retainingone side rof said curtain in place, said means including a holder member, and spring means tendingv to urge said curtain from engagement.

The combination witn a locomotive cab or the like of a tivo-piece curtain, supporting means for the top portions of said curtain, means for releasably connecting the adjacent portions of the curtain, and releasable means holding one side of said curtain in place, said releasable means including a manually operable inembermovable to free the side of the curtain fromy engagement.

mestre 4. The combination With a locomotive cab or the like, of a curtain, including retaining means for one side of said curtain, a seat `for said retaining means, means to hold said retaining means in said seat, 1 and spring means for urging said retaining mea-iis from said seat upon release of said holding means. c

5. The combinationivith a locomotive cab or the like, of a curtain, including a nicnr ber attach-ed to onev side of-saidcurtain, a`

seatfor said member, means normally ren tainingsaid member in seated relation', and

spring means adapted to be compressed byy said .retaining means When said member is disposed in seated relation, and operable abruptly to force, said member froinjseated relation lupon release of said retaining means, thereby to permit said curtainmembei' to be moved free from en gageinent.V

(f5. ln combination, alocomotive cab, a`

substantially U-shaped support in the rearward portion ont said cab, a curtain suspended 'from said support, a stilflicniiig rod disposed longitudinally of ysaid curtain to prevent flapping thereof, a spring on theV upper end portion ot said rod, and a part .ofsaid cab providingan abutment for said or said curtain having a portion coiled about said support, and an extension on the upper end of `each rod engageable with said hood. v l,

8. In a locomotivecab, thecombination of a curtain support, a curtainsuspended from said support, stiiening members for said curtain for 'holding the saine in position, means for yieldingly holding said members against swinging movementV inside the cab, means to detachably hold the sides yof said curtain in place, Isaid holding means, including a seat in k,tliecab structure,a ineinber on the curtain engageable in said seat, and anf operative niemberior'foreing and retaining said member in said seat.

9. Ina locomotive cab, a .curtain support, a curtain suspended from said support,

binding members on the opposite sides ot`r said curtain, and means :to retain said menibeis in place against a Vcab portion,` said means includiiio a single operating lever yfor Qpoitdisposed ,Witlisaid hood, a curtain suspended trom said support, stiilening rods each side, and springfmeans .for forcing the curtain out oiC retention when said lever is v'moved to a predetermined position, Y 10. In 'a locomotive cab, curtain sup,-

port, a curtain suspended from vsaid support, binding members for .opposite sides ot the curtain, a seat for said-:binding meinbers disposed on opposite .side portions of the/cab., cainineans for liollclliiimg; .eaclimenr ber in its seat, and means to eject a member from its seat upon release of said cam means, thereby to free the curtain from attachment.

`ll. In a locomotive cab, a curtain support, a curtain suspended from said support, binding members for opposite sides of the curtain, and a manually operable cam member for each pair of binding members to hold the sam-e in place whereupon release of said cam member on each side frees the curtain from engagement and provides an openingfor the occupants of' the cab to pass, l2. In a locomotive cab, a curtain supd port, a curtain suspended from said support, and completely enclosing the rear end of' the cab, means for securing opposite sides ot the curtain in place, said means including a single operating member for each side which, upon manipulation in a predetermined manner, trees the respective side from engagement, thereby to afford an exit opening for the occupants oi' the cab.

13. In a locomotive cab, a curtain for enclosing a portion thereof, a support for the top port-ion of said curtain, an abutment for a. side'portion of said curtain, means cooperating with said abutment for clamping said curtain therebetween thereby to retain same in position, and manually operated means for actuating said clamping means to release said curtain.

14. In a locomotive cab, a curtain, support for the top portion of said curtain, abutment means adjacent a side of said curtain, and manually operated cam lever ieans cooperating with said abutment means to clamp said curtain therebetween.

l5. rIhc combination with a locomotive cab structure of a curtain yfor enclosing a portion thereof, a support for the top of the curtain, and manually controlled lever means for releasably holding a side or" said curtain in place against the cab structure.

16. In a locomotive cab, a curtain for enclosing` a portion thereof, means to suspend said curtain in. a vertical position, and means for releasably retaining each longitudinal side edge portion of said curtain in place, said means comprising a pair of members tor each side of the curtain for clamping the same in place, one ot said members consisting of a manually operated cam which upon actuation in one direction releases the curtain from clamping engagement,

HUBERT M. GRAY. 

